Ways to use this list
- Summer holiday planner: every Monday, spin with Remove the winner on and write the week's big activity on the calendar.
- Beat "I'm bored" in week three: children take turns spinning, and the house rule is to give the idea 20 minutes before asking for another.
- Teens who want more freedom: the Teens button has ideas such as a small summer business, cooking for the family or a day out by public transport.
- Very hot days: keep to shady, splashy ideas in the middle of the day and save the bike ride or the walk for the cooler evening.
- Holiday clubs and summer camps: leaders spin for the afternoon theme while the children watch it on a projector in fullscreen.
Press Spin the wheel, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a duck race, hat, claw machine and more.
The full list (50 entries)
- Run through a sprinkler
- Have a water balloon fight
- Make fruit ice lollies
- Picnic in the park
- Go to the beach
- Build a sandcastle
- Go rock pooling
- Camp in the garden
- Have an outdoor film night
- Go berry picking
- Play in a paddling pool
- Draw with chalk on the pavement
- Go for a bike ride
- Set up a lemonade stand
- Fly a kite
- Do a nature scavenger hunt
- Visit a farm
- Swim at an outdoor pool
- Have a barbecue
- Watch the sunset
- Stargaze on a warm night
- Make a bird bath
- Press summer flowers
- Tie-dye a T-shirt
- Try canoeing or kayaking
- Hold a family sports day
- Make a summer scrapbook
- Join a library summer reading challenge
- Go to a free outdoor concert
- Visit a fair or festival
- Make homemade ice cream
- Have a sponge water fight
- Take a day trip by train
- Go on an early morning walk
- Do a beach or park clean-up
- Play garden games
- Blow giant bubbles
- Paint the fence with water
- Fill a tub with water and toys
- Rescue toys from a block of ice
- Make mud pies
- Splash at a splash pad
- Start a small summer business
- Learn to cook five meals
- Film a short movie with friends
- Learn to skateboard
- Volunteer at a local event
- Plan a day out by public transport
- Read a whole book series
- Go to a summer camp
📖 Related guide: Who goes first? 12 fair ways to decide
Questions people ask
What summer activities can kids do for free?
Lots: sprinklers, sandcastles, rock pooling, garden camping, chalk drawings, kite flying, stargazing and nature scavenger hunts. Many libraries also run a free summer reading challenge with stickers or medals. Press Free to spin only no-cost ideas.
What can toddlers do in summer?
Simple sensory play suits them: painting a fence with plain water, rescuing toys from a block of ice, mud pies, bubbles and a tub of water with cups. Stay within arm's reach whenever there is water, find some shade, and press Toddlers for these ideas.
What are fun summer activities for teens?
Teens tend to enjoy ideas that give them some independence and something to show for it: a small business such as dog walking or car washing, a short film with friends, learning to skateboard, volunteering, or planning a day trip themselves.
How do I find summer activities near me?
Libraries, parks departments, leisure centres and museums usually publish summer programmes in late spring. Spin for the type of activity, then search for it with your town's name, and book popular camps and classes early.